Food day celebration at Bowe School

On Monday, October 24th, students at Bowe School crunched into an apple in celebration of National Food Day; a day that emphasizes the importance of providing local, just, healthy, and affordable food to all people. Chicopee was asked to host an apple crunch event in honor of Food Day, due to their dedication and leadership in the Massachusetts Farm to School Movement. Apple Crunch events were held all across the country as a way to unify people towards the focus of healthier food and supporting local farmers. Students at Bowe School designed posters, which showed what they knew about farm to school, the benefits of eating healthy as well as their excitement about the Apple Crunch and National Food Day.
During lunch, 4th grade students and their teachers stayed in the cafeteria, which was surrounded by fall decorations and a table full of local apples and cider.  Students were first introduced to Bowe’s distinguished guests, including Mayor Kos, Superintendent Rege, Assistant Superintendent Clark, Massachusetts Commissioner of Agriculture John Lebeaux, Mary Jordan of the Department of Agriculture, John Moriarty a representative from Senator Humason’s office, and Chicopee Food Service Director, Joanne Lennon. They then listened attentively to FoodCorps Service Member, Greta Shwachman, who explained the benefits of farm to school on our health, our environment, and our local economy. Following this speech, Massachusetts Commissioner of Agricultural, John Lebeaux, presented Chicopee with a special proclamation to celebrate their outstanding work in farm to school. Then, it was time to let the countdown begin….

​